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Mary Baker (Gilbert) sends long and most interesting letters. She visited the Convent during her honeymoon, spent in Europe. She and her husband had been to Rome and Fatima. Writing on her return from Aurora, Colorado, Mary tells us "Dad, Mother, Anne, Louise and Chris are now happily settled in Merlo Park, California. Once again, though, Jean is in hospital and very ill." We are sure our readers will not forget a prayer for her. |
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Barbara writes to Jean Money and to Joy Winterbottom. Joy has sent us an account of her work as Assistante in a Lycee. She came in to see us before going to France and had much news to give of her recent holiday in Italy. Peggy Boezan (Shackleford) apologising for not being able to attend the Reunion gave quite a lot of information about other Past Pupils, which we include for all to share. "I went to Jill Copings wedding at the end of last summer. Her name is now Mrs. Hopkins.
Do you ever see Jean Hillier? I met her in Fisherman's Walk about a month ado. She is betting married soon. She hears from Pat Worcester quite often - I think she said Pat was in Malta with her husband but I am not quite sure." Betty Trotter (Clarke) sent a Christmas letter last year. She had not been able to visit the Convent but was delighted to receive the Memoir of Reverend Mother Kelly and a copy of the Magazine. Althea Durrant (Turner) wrote in June to give the good news of her baby daughter's birth. She says "I am afraid all my news is about the baby but I do, send good wishes to the Nuns and girls whom I knew at school." Judith Jones has kept in touch most faithfully. She now sees Susan Fisher quite often. Judith is in the Wembley branch of the Civil Service. Susan comes in to the Convent often when she is at home. Jean Money who is teaching in a new Secondary Modern School at Tunbridge Wells, was busy moving into a flat when she wrote. She sent special wishes to the Stanislausians, hoping that they would win all the Cups. Mary Denham has just settled into a compact bungalow at New Denham, Bucks, when she sent her Christmas and New Year greetings, last year. Janet Howard (Ritching) acknowledged the Magazine, explaining that it gave pleasure not only to her but to her two daughters who attend St. Joseph's Convent, Hendon. Wendy Cannon (Gilchrist) loves to read of what the girls she knew are doing. She writes regularly to Jacqueline Cake (Walker), who gives the latest news of Wendy when she calls to see the Nuns with her small daughter, Elizabeth. Wendy told us that Joan (Luyerirk) and her husband have bought a property in the fertile district of Windsor, Sydney. Wendy is living in Sydney. Marie-Antoinette Gilles when thanking for the Magazine mentioned that she takes an active part in the Boy Scout movement in France. She was hoping to see Angela Rickard during the year. Angela came to the School Dance and stayed the week-end. She is still enjoying teaching, especially being responsible for the Music in her school. Anne Walker remarked in her letter that it must be interesting to get all the first-hand information which is condensed in these pages that we must feel like a real Travel Bureau! Margaret Clement was unable to come to the Reunion but she intended at the time of writing to take up the Catering trade as a career. She hoped then to be able to live at home and to, take the City and Guilds Diploma for Catering. Celia Joyce (Court) sent greetings from Malaya and we have news of her from her sister Teresa who comes to the Convent periodically on business. She also tells us of Marguerite and her family. Wendyann Johnston sent a most graphic account of her stay in Italy. We wish there were space to retard it ward for ward. She is very happy in her past as a Secretary in B.O.A.C. Wendyanne ends (with words similar to those of many other Past Pupils. "The knowledge that the prayers and spiritual guidance of the Nuns are with us 'Old Girls' is a great comfort to all." Our Past Pupils indeed have a very large share in the prayers of the Community and they know, we are sure, that there will always be interest in their joys and troubles among the Nuns who knew them when they were at school. |
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Josephine Daly wrote early in the year and called during the summer. She is now doing administrative work for Child Welfare. She has been to Dublin and spent an enjoyable time with Gladys O'Shea (Shorman) and her family who were back from Kenya. Trey have now returned to Africa. Josephine is Godmother to Dorothea Turner (Honey's) baby son.
Marigold Barker has written, letting us know that she is now Nursing at King's College Hospital. Perhaps the credit for the longest and most detailed letter or `epistle' as she termed it, was from Patricia Peters. Every bit of it was most interesting as she reviewed her first year at Tidworth. Fat says "The Army seems to have brought me outs of my shell a great deal and I have much more confidence in everything I tackle. Our Catholic Church here has a Club which holds a Social evening after Benediction every Sunday, and in answer to Father Tobyn's request for someone to sing, I accepted the challenge and do so regularly. Contrary to popular opinion, Catholics seem to become stronger in their Faith on joining the Army - the fact that we seem so isolated from normal civilian life has, a lot to do with it. An Army Garrison is a town an its own, with nothing but the Army barracks and camps for miles round." Margaret Banks (Street) wrote before her wedding and mentioned that June Griffiths, now Mrs. Parker, is living in Australia. The state of affairs in Hungary and the persecution there turns our thoughts to Czecho-Slovakia and we wonder about Sister Mary Alma (Felicity Rose). We have not heard any further news of her. Mrs. Rose was seriously ill but thank God, has now re-covered and is staying at a Convent in Wimbledon. Rosemary and her family have gone to live in Canada. Those Past Pupils who are resident in the area have more opportunities of attending school functions. W. and E. Cartwright are most faithful in coming to these events. Sir Charles, their father, made a remarkable recovery from a dangerous illness earlier in the year. We were sorry to hear from W. Kelly that her brother, Mr. G. Kelly, had to undergo an operation this month. Miss Kelly keeps us in touch with Mrs. Bond (G. Kelly). Her nieces, Gay and Genevieve Bond, came to the Convent in February before Gay returned to Lagos. Gay was eager for a chat with Mother Loftus, who was her contemporary. Other Past Pupils have had opportunities of renewing contacts with the younger Nuns whom they knew, as Sister Ruth Brown was in Boscombe for a time in the summer, and Sister Catherine Morton came here with the Novices. Sister M. Coward is now at Springhill. Mother McLoughlin (Pat) is also there, so we have missed Kitty's visits to Boscombe, when she used to come to see her sister. It is not possible to mention every visit during the year, but we try to include those of whom news has not been given recently or who have some information of general interest to give. So, please do not feel "left out" if you are not mentioned personally; every Past Pupil is a welcome visitor and we trust that the more recent ones will be as faithful as the old. Maria Bertini has come to see Reverend Mother and Mother Welstead on various occasions. Ida Skeates (Head) also called when she was staying in Bournemouth. Mrs. Meade and Mrs. Miller (L. and J. Riddle) joined the party to Stakes and also Mrs. Watson (K. Burke). Mrs. Browning (R. de Sousa) is a most loyal supporter of all activities and we were very glad to see her in the group. |
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